City Releases Draft Of Climate Action and Adaptation Plan

SANTA MONICA, CA – Santa Monica released a draft of its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) for public review and input, the city announced Monday. Community members can leave comments on the draft plan through April 1.

The online draft includes supplemental information and links about existing programs and projects; the interactive platform enables individuals to comment directly, as well as view comments and suggestions made by other residents, the city said.

Staff will present the document to the Urban Forest Task Force and Task Force on the Environment for feedback and recommendations at two public meetings:

• Urban Forest Task Force: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 at the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
• Task Force on the Environment: 7 p.m. Monday, April 15 at Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave.

The City Council directed staff to develop a plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 or sooner – the CAAP is the first phase of that goal, and includes proposed policies and measures that would help reduce carbon emissions community-wide 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

"By 2016 Santa Monica's emissions had been reduced 20 percent below 1990 levels, which is a great start, but we have a long way to go," the City of Santa Monica said in a statement.

To leave feedback on the draft, visit the city website.